Pope
Francis on Wednesday spoke out against the scourge of hunger saying
that “the scandal that millions of people suffer from hunger must not
paralyze us, but push each and every one of us to act: singles,
families, communities, institutions, governments, to eliminate this
injustice”. Speaking at the end of his General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope mentioned the global Caritas Internationalis campaign, “One Human Family, Food for All”, to end hunger and food waste. He had immediately put his full support behind the campaign when it was launched this week with a video message in which he noted that nearly one billion people still suffer from hunger worldwide today, and said: "We cannot look the other way and pretend this does not exist".
And to those present in the Square on Wednesday Pope Francis said the Gospel shows us the way: trust in the Lord’s providence - he said - and share our daily bread without wasting it.
Pope Francis concluded his appeal encouraging “Caritas” to carry this initiative forward, and inviting every one to join in this “wave” of solidarity.
The Pope was addressing the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Audience. His appeal followed his weekly catechesis which was based on the Creed. He reminded those present that we will be held accountable before God for the good we have done or failed to do in this life.
And he said, the Church invites us to regard this final judgment with joyful hope as Jesus will be at our side.
But he noted, “God’s judgement takes place in our lives each day, by the way in which we respond to Christ’s teaching and imitate him in serving our brothers and sisters”.